Iggy and the Stooges Preview Raw Reunion LP, Dis Smashing Pumpkins

Iggy Pop is a scarecrow in new teaser video

Iggy and the Stooges return on April 30 with Ready to Die, their first studio album under that billing since 1973's proto-punk classic Raw Power. Available for pre-order now via label Fat Possum, the record has a refreshingly scrappy sound to it, based on the 45-second preview above, which shows Iggy Pop dressed as a scarecrow while new work-sucks anthem "Job" blasts on the soundtrack.

In a new video interview, posted below, Iggy suggests the new album is a product of pure, punk-rock stubbornness, although he also rather confusingly slams the Smashing Pumpkins. "My motivation in making any record with the group at this point is no longer personal," he says. "It's just a pig-headed fucking thing I have that a real fucking group, when they're an older group, they also make fucking records. They don't just go and twiddle around on stage to make a bunch of fucking money and go, 'Oh, it wouldn't be as good."

He then proceeded to criticize Billy Corgan, for some reason. "This is not the fucking Smashing Pumpkins, you know, we've got the bald guy and whoever," he continues, with a laugh. "The Stooges are a real group." To be fair, the Smashing Pumpkins did release a new album last year, Oceania. Maybe Iggy is thinking of Pavement? Is this what hanging out with Ke$ha will do to you?

Ready to Die features the reunited lineup of Iggy Pop, guitarist James Williamson, and drummer Scott Asheton, with the Minutemen's Mike Watt sitting in on bass for the late Ron Asheton. They've been on the road — check out their magnificent backstage demands — and more live dates are on the way.